The Civil War was, indeed, fought over slavery- as well as issues like economic determination and the strength of states’ rights. The south suffered great property losses which are still the cause of some bitterness; the memory of homes invaded and burned lingers between generations, it seems. But even the vaguest notion of sympathy to this is fraught with danger- are we really empathetic to a people who fought for the right to own others? Who then fostered decades of segregation and racism?